<p>China has agreed that it will allow the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Xinjiang this year but after the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 Games are concluded, South China Morning Post reported citing unnamed sources.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Winter Olympics will be held between February 4 to February 20 but the upcoming event has been overshadowed by a range of issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some of the Western countries have accused China of 'egregious' human rights violations in the Xinjiang region against the Uyghurs Muslims, which China has repeatedly denied.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-provocations-ahead-of-winter-olympics-pla-conducts-drills-in-south-china-sea-448299">'US provocations': Ahead of Winter Olympics, PLA conducts drills in South China Sea</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>After the United States announced a diplomatic boycott of the event, other countries like Australia, the UK and Canada also confirmed that they will not send government officials to the Games. The athletes from the mentioned countries will participate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US has accused China of mass detention, torture, forced labour and genocide in&nbsp;Xinjiang.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from the Xinjiang issue, the current coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country and the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai also remained a hot topic for China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet has been pursuing negotiations with China on a visit since September 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-restricts-social-media-access-of-dissidents-activists-ahead-of-winter-olympics-2022-447927">China restricts social media access of dissidents, activists ahead of Winter Olympics 2022</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In the latest development, the South China Morning Post report on Thursday (January 27) cited sources saying that the approval for a visit after the conclusion of the Beijing Winter Games was granted on the condition the trip should be "friendly" and not framed as an investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"No one, especially the world's leading human rights diplomat, should be fooled by the Chinese government's efforts to distract attention away from its crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities," Sophie Richardson, China Director at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters in an emailed statement on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China's foreign ministry, China's mission to the United Nations in New York, and the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;From Genocide to Omicron: The story of China's controversial Olympics</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


China has agreed that it will allow the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Xinjiang this year but after the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 Games are concluded, South China Morning Post reported citing unnamed sources.

China has agreed that it will allow the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Xinjiang this year but after the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 Games are concluded, South China Morning Post reported citing unnamed sources. The Winter Olympics will be held between February 4 to February 20 but the upcoming event has been overshadowed by a range of issues. Some of the Western countries have accused China of 'egregious' human rights violations in the Xinjiang region against the Uyghurs Muslims, which China has repeatedly denied. ALSO READ | 'US provocations': Ahead of Winter Olympics, PLA conducts drills in South China Sea After the United States announced a diplomatic boycott of the event, other countries like Australia, the UK and Canada also confirmed that they will not send government officials to the Games. The athletes from the mentioned countries will participate. The US has accused China of mass detention, torture, forced labour and genocide in Xinjiang. Apart from the Xinjiang issue, the current coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country and the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai also remained a hot topic for China. UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet has been pursuing negotiations with China on a visit since September 2018. ALSO READ | China restricts social media access of dissidents, activists ahead of Winter Olympics 2022 In the latest development, the South China Morning Post report on Thursday (January 27) cited sources saying that the approval for a visit after the conclusion of the Beijing Winter Games was granted on the condition the trip should be "friendly" and not framed as an investigation. "No one, especially the world's leading human rights diplomat, should be fooled by the Chinese government's efforts to distract attention away from its crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities," Sophie Richardson, China Director at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters in an emailed statement on Friday. China's foreign ministry, China's mission to the United Nations in New York, and the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment. WATCH | From Genocide to Omicron: The story of China's controversial Olympics × (With inputs from agencies)

China allows UN rights chief visit to Xinjiang but after Winter Olympics 2022: Report

<p>India's High Commission in the Canadian capital of Ottawa has confirmed the identities of the four Indians who were frozen to death near the border between the United States and Canada last week. Earlier, it was revealed that the family belonged to&nbsp;the western state of Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The High Commission revealed the deceased as 39-year-old Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 37-year-old Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, 11-year-old Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel and 3-year-old Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The family of four were found dead near Emerson, Manitoba, approximately 12 metres from the Canada-US border on January 19 by Canadian police.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-central-asia-is-central-to-indias-vision-of-a-stable-neighbourhood-pm-modi-448140">Watch:&nbsp;‘Central Asia is central to India's vision of a stable neighbourhood': PM Modi&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>Previously, the authorities had said that the family included an adult male, adult female, teen male and infant. Now, they have revealed that the victims included a young girl and not a teen male.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The identities of all four victims were confirmed after the autopsies were completed on January 26 and the next of kin of the deceased have been informed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has been understood that the four were among four families from the same village who had travelled to the border this month but got separated from the group and probably caught in a blizzard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The press release from the Indian High Commission added that after medical examination the death of all the persons have been determined to be consistent with exposure to the outdoor elements.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-tense-situation-over-ukraine-russian-foreign-ministry-says-india-kept-in-loop-448229">Amid tense situation over Ukraine, Russian foreign ministry says India kept in loop</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Identities of four victims, whose bodies were recovered near the Canada-US border in Manitoba on 19 January 2022, have now been confirmed.<a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainToronto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiainToronto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rcmpmb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rcmpmb</a> <a href="https://t.co/ptwj2ER0Uf">pic.twitter.com/ptwj2ER0Uf</a></p>
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCI_Ottawa/status/1486879600978407435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, authorities in India have initiated a probe into illegal immigration in the aftermath of the horrific tragedy. Indian police have detained six people in connection, the officials informed on Thursday (January 27).</p>

<p>As informed by the Indian police, the people who are detained were running a travel and tourism company in&nbsp;Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police official AK Jhala in the state capital of Gandhinagar said, "We are now trying to nab the human traffickers who managed to send this family and others abroad via illegal channels."</p>

<p>A foreign ministry official in India's capital New Delhi said authorities were coordinating with US and Canadian border officials to investigate the illegal immigration case.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's High Commission in the Canadian capital of Ottawa has confirmed the identities of the four Indians who were frozen to death near the border between the United States and Canada last week.

India's High Commission in the Canadian capital of Ottawa has confirmed the identities of the four Indians who were frozen to death near the border between the United States and Canada last week. Earlier, it was revealed that the family belonged to the western state of Gujarat. The High Commission revealed the deceased as 39-year-old Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 37-year-old Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, 11-year-old Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel and 3-year-old Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel. The family of four were found dead near Emerson, Manitoba, approximately 12 metres from the Canada-US border on January 19 by Canadian police. ALSO READ | Watch: ‘Central Asia is central to India's vision of a stable neighbourhood': PM Modi Previously, the authorities had said that the family included an adult male, adult female, teen male and infant. Now, they have revealed that the victims included a young girl and not a teen male. The identities of all four victims were confirmed after the autopsies were completed on January 26 and the next of kin of the deceased have been informed. It has been understood that the four were among four families from the same village who had travelled to the border this month but got separated from the group and probably caught in a blizzard. The press release from the Indian High Commission added that after medical examination the death of all the persons have been determined to be consistent with exposure to the outdoor elements. ALSO READ | Amid tense situation over Ukraine, Russian foreign ministry says India kept in loop The Identities of four victims, whose bodies were recovered near the Canada-US border in Manitoba on 19 January 2022, have now been confirmed.@MEAIndia @IndiainToronto @rcmpmb pic.twitter.com/ptwj2ER0Uf — India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) January 28, 2022 × Meanwhile, authorities in India have initiated a probe into illegal immigration in the aftermath of the horrific tragedy. Indian police have detained six people in connection, the officials informed on Thursday (January 27). As informed by the Indian police, the people who are detained were running a travel and tourism company in Gujarat. Police official AK Jhala in the state capital of Gandhinagar said, "We are now trying to nab the human traffickers who managed to send this family and others abroad via illegal channels." A foreign ministry official in India's capital New Delhi said authorities were coordinating with US and Canadian border officials to investigate the illegal immigration case. (With inputs from agencies)

Identities of Indian family found frozen to death near US-Canada border confirmed

<p><strong>Here are some of the top stories to start your day:&nbsp;</strong>Russia has said that the United States and NATO had overlooked its concerns over the security draft agreement submitted to it earlier. Also, watch the report on the summit of Central Asian countries hosted by India as the situation in Afghanistan topped the agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on headlines to read the full report:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-russia-invades-ukraine-nord-stream-2-pipeline-will-not-move-forward-us-448278">If Russia invades Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 pipeline will not move forward: US</a></strong><br />
Russia said today the United States and NATO had overlooked its concern over the security draft agreement submitted to it earlier amid tensions with Ukraine along the border.</p>

<p><img alt="Russia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="065282e3-2522-45b7-ae05-48fe9b90dcd6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Russia_0.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-confirms-two-tactical-guided-missiles-tests-kim-visits-munitions-factory-448286">North Korea confirms two tactical guided missiles tests, Kim visits munitions factory</a></strong><br />
Fulfilling its aim to show military might, North Korea said on Friday that its two latest rounds of weapons tests conducted this week were successful. It also looks to speed up the development of more powerful warheads.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="North Korea" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a3f4c9c4-444e-4f33-afb1-5b0792ca18a5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/North%20Korea_0.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-provocations-ahead-of-winter-olympics-pla-conducts-drills-in-south-china-sea-448299">'US provocations': Ahead of Winter Olympics, PLA conducts drills in South China Sea</a></strong><br />
As China prepares to host the Winter Olympics next month, China's state-run Global Times quoting the Chinese defence ministry reported that PLA "is ready to deal with any US military provocations" during the games.</p>

<p><img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3af3b51d-0c05-4f6c-a28f-d1e23e728ecc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China%20%283%29.jpg" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/identities-of-indian-family-found-frozen-to-death-near-us-canada-border-confirmed-448290">Identities of Indian family found frozen to death near US-Canada border confirmed</a></strong><br />
India's High Commission in the Canadian capital of Ottawa has confirmed the identities of the four Indians who were frozen to death near the border between the United States and Canada last week.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Indian family" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a35d4d38-e829-41ff-98e4-4e2da697bb4c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Indian%20family.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: India-Central Asian countries discuss situation in Afghanistan</strong></p>

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Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Russia has said that the United States and NATO had overlooked its concerns over the security draft agreement submitted to it earlier.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Russia has said that the United States and NATO had overlooked its concerns over the security draft agreement submitted to it earlier. Also, watch the report on the summit of Central Asian countries hosted by India as the situation in Afghanistan topped the agenda. Click on headlines to read the full report: If Russia invades Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 pipeline will not move forward: US Russia said today the United States and NATO had overlooked its concern over the security draft agreement submitted to it earlier amid tensions with Ukraine along the border. North Korea confirms two tactical guided missiles tests, Kim visits munitions factory Fulfilling its aim to show military might, North Korea said on Friday that its two latest rounds of weapons tests conducted this week were successful. It also looks to speed up the development of more powerful warheads. 'US provocations': Ahead of Winter Olympics, PLA conducts drills in South China Sea As China prepares to host the Winter Olympics next month, China's state-run Global Times quoting the Chinese defence ministry reported that PLA "is ready to deal with any US military provocations" during the games. Identities of Indian family found frozen to death near US-Canada border confirmed India's High Commission in the Canadian capital of Ottawa has confirmed the identities of the four Indians who were frozen to death near the border between the United States and Canada last week. WATCH | Gravitas: India-Central Asian countries discuss situation in Afghanistan ×

Morning news brief: US warns Russia over Nord Stream 2 pipeline, North Korea on missiles tests, and more

<p>Burkina Faso's new military leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba said on Thursday that the West African country's return to constitutional order when conditions are right.</p>

<p>Damiba spoke for the first time on national television since leading a mutiny that ousted President Roch Marc Kabore on Monday.</p>

<p>"When the conditions are right, according to the deadline that our people will define in all sovereignty, I commit to a return to a normal constitutional order," Damiba said.</p>

<p>Wearing a red beret, army fatigues and flanked by national flags, Damiba said he would convene various sections of Burkina Faso's society to agree on a roadmap to plan and carry out needed reforms.</p>

<p>The junta said on Monday after seizing power that it would propose a calendar for a return to constitutional order "within a reasonable time frame" but has not elaborated on its plans.</p>

<p>The officers, who call themselves the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), launched a mutiny on Sunday night, and removed Kabore on Monday, blaming him for failing to contain worsening violence by Islamist militants.</p>

<p>Damiba promised farmers and herders and people across the West African Sahel nation affected by violence from militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, and said he would take back control of those zones. He said security would be priority.</p>

<p>Damiba's speech come before a planned emergency summit of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday to discuss how to respond to the coup.</p>

<p>ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Burkina Faso's neighbour Mali and Guinea following military takeovers in August 2020 and September 2021, respectively.</p>

<p>This latest coup in West and Central Africa comes amid an increasingly bloody Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel region, eroding faith in democratic leaders to combat the problem.</p>

<p>The juntas in Mali and Guinea, as well as in the Central African nation of Chad, where the military took power in April 2021, have all set up transitional governments with a mixture of military officers and civilians.</p>

<p>The juntas in Mali and Chad agreed to 18-month transitions to democratic elections, while Guinea's has not yet laid out a timeline.</p>

<p>Malian authorities, however, have gone back on their original commitment and have proposed delaying elections, originally scheduled for next month, by up to four years.</p>


Burkina Faso's new military leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba said on Thursday that the West African country's return to constitutional order when conditions are right.

Burkina Faso's new military leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba said on Thursday that the West African country's return to constitutional order when conditions are right. Damiba spoke for the first time on national television since leading a mutiny that ousted President Roch Marc Kabore on Monday. "When the conditions are right, according to the deadline that our people will define in all sovereignty, I commit to a return to a normal constitutional order," Damiba said. Wearing a red beret, army fatigues and flanked by national flags, Damiba said he would convene various sections of Burkina Faso's society to agree on a roadmap to plan and carry out needed reforms. The junta said on Monday after seizing power that it would propose a calendar for a return to constitutional order "within a reasonable time frame" but has not elaborated on its plans. The officers, who call themselves the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), launched a mutiny on Sunday night, and removed Kabore on Monday, blaming him for failing to contain worsening violence by Islamist militants. Damiba promised farmers and herders and people across the West African Sahel nation affected by violence from militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, and said he would take back control of those zones. He said security would be priority. Damiba's speech come before a planned emergency summit of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday to discuss how to respond to the coup. ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Burkina Faso's neighbour Mali and Guinea following military takeovers in August 2020 and September 2021, respectively. This latest coup in West and Central Africa comes amid an increasingly bloody Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel region, eroding faith in democratic leaders to combat the problem. The juntas in Mali and Guinea, as well as in the Central African nation of Chad, where the military took power in April 2021, have all set up transitional governments with a mixture of military officers and civilians. The juntas in Mali and Chad agreed to 18-month transitions to democratic elections, while Guinea's has not yet laid out a timeline. Malian authorities, however, have gone back on their original commitment and have proposed delaying elections, originally scheduled for next month, by up to four years.

Burkina Faso will return to constitutional order when conditions are right, military leader says

<p>The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, especially the recent increase in the number of cases in India has forced the nation to drop a popular and decades-old Budget-related tradition - the "Halwa ceremony"</p>

<p>The customary <em>Halwa</em> (a sweet dish) ceremony has been dropped for the first time this year in view of the pandemic situation in the nation's capital New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2022-23 in a paperless form for the second time on February 1. However, this year, the customary <em>Halwa</em>&nbsp;ceremony will not take place.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-a-union-budget-and-why-is-it-important-to-the-government-of-india-448180">What is a union budget and why is it important to the government of India?</a></strong></p>

<p>In a statement, the government said, "To mark the final stage of the Union Budget making process, sweets were provided to the core staff due to undergo "lock-in" at their workplaces, instead of a customary <em>Halwa</em>&nbsp;ceremony every year in view of the prevailing pandemic situation and the need to observe health safety protocols".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tradition is quite old as ahead of the Budget presentation in the Parliament,&nbsp;<em>Halwa&nbsp;</em>is prepared in large quantities and served to the officers and support staff.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The <em>halwa</em> is served by the finance minister as a part of the Indian tradition of having something sweet before starting an important work.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-budget-2022-a-detailed-insight-to-how-the-document-is-prepared-448246">Union Budget 2022: A detailed insight to how the document is prepared</a></strong></p>

<p>The cases increased in the recents weeks, especially after the emergence Omicron variant. It is worth mentioning that more than 400 staff of Parliament were tested COVID-19 positive in the first week of January.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had reviewed the situation and directed that necessary measures be taken to contain the spread of the virus among the Secretariat officials and staff.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday. The VP, who is in Hyderabad, has asked those who came in contact with him to isolate themselves and get tested.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India's Budget 2022 with Gautam Chikermane: India's performance in handling Covid crisis?</strong></p>

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The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, especially the recent increase in the number of cases in India has forced the nation to drop a popular and decades-old Budget-related tradition - the "Halwa ceremony" The customary Halwa (a sweet dish) ceremony has been dropped for the first time this year in view of the pandemic situation in the nation's capital New Delhi.

The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, especially the recent increase in the number of cases in India has forced the nation to drop a popular and decades-old Budget-related tradition - the "Halwa ceremony" The customary Halwa (a sweet dish) ceremony has been dropped for the first time this year in view of the pandemic situation in the nation's capital New Delhi. India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2022-23 in a paperless form for the second time on February 1. However, this year, the customary Halwa ceremony will not take place. ALSO READ | What is a union budget and why is it important to the government of India? In a statement, the government said, "To mark the final stage of the Union Budget making process, sweets were provided to the core staff due to undergo "lock-in" at their workplaces, instead of a customary Halwa ceremony every year in view of the prevailing pandemic situation and the need to observe health safety protocols". The tradition is quite old as ahead of the Budget presentation in the Parliament, Halwa is prepared in large quantities and served to the officers and support staff. The halwa is served by the finance minister as a part of the Indian tradition of having something sweet before starting an important work. ALSO READ | Union Budget 2022: A detailed insight to how the document is prepared The cases increased in the recents weeks, especially after the emergence Omicron variant. It is worth mentioning that more than 400 staff of Parliament were tested COVID-19 positive in the first week of January. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had reviewed the situation and directed that necessary measures be taken to contain the spread of the virus among the Secretariat officials and staff. Meanwhile, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday. The VP, who is in Hyderabad, has asked those who came in contact with him to isolate themselves and get tested. WATCH | India's Budget 2022 with Gautam Chikermane: India's performance in handling Covid crisis? ×

Halwa ceremony: Coronavirus forces India to drop a customary tradition ahead of Budget 2022 presentation

<p>When Jeffrey Epstein died, he left behind an estate with an estimated value of $600 million. There were vast financial holdings, a private jet and palatial properties including an island hideaway, a grand Manhattan mansion and a 7,600-acre New Mexico ranch.</p>

<p>But taxes, property upkeep and temperature-controlled storage for his art collection — as well as $121 million in settlements to more than 135 women who accused him of sexually abusing them when they were young — have since cut into the size of Epstein’s estate. It is now worth about one-third of its value when the financier, 66, hanged himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges 2 1/2 years ago.</p>

<p>The biggest continuing expense is legal costs: $30 million so far to law firms brought in to clean up Epstein’s affairs. Lawyers have helped hand out settlements, liquidate assets and sift through the complicated holdings of a man who once set up his own offshore bank.</p>

<p>The work won’t be finished anytime soon. The estate must still resolve a civil fraud lawsuit, brought by the attorney general of the Virgin Islands, who claims Epstein used the territory to facilitate a criminal enterprise by bilking it out of more than $70 million in tax revenue. And Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Epstein who was convicted of sex-trafficking charges last month, has sued the estate to recoup her legal fees.</p>

<p>Not until all that is over will the estate dispense whatever is left, according to the terms of a secret trust that Epstein set up and named in a will drawn just two days before he died.</p>

<p>The details of the trust are not public. But Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and the last person he spoke to on the phone before killing himself, will be one of the main beneficiaries, The New York Times previously reported. Shuliak, a native of Belarus, is a dentist who shared an office on the island of St. Thomas with Epstein’s Southern Trust Co. A lawyer for Shuliak declined to comment.</p>

<p>The estate has paid $9 million to the lawyers who established and oversaw the victims restitution fund, and $21 million to at least 16 law firms for services and expenses, according to a review of quarterly financial statements filed by the estate in Superior Court in the Virgin Islands.</p>

<p>Five firms — Troutman Pepper, Hughes Hubbard &amp; Reed, White &amp; Case, McLaughlin &amp; Stern and Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin — have each taken in fees that exceed the nearly $900,000 average award to victims from the compensation fund. A lawyer for nine accusers who submitted claims took issue with the size of those legal bills.</p>

<p>“It is appalling that lawyers divvying up the estate of Jeffrey Epstein are profiting more than his victims,” said Florida lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who has been seeking compensation for some of Epstein’s accusers for more than a decade.</p>

<p>Daniel Weiner, a lawyer with Hughes Hubbard, which has billed the estate more than $6 million, said it was wrong to compare the legal fees and the settlement amounts. He said the estate’s executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, had put no limitations on the amount of money handed out by the restitution fund, which an independent administrator oversaw.</p>

<p>The victims who participated, he added, were able to avoid litigation costs that could have reduced the amount they received. (Victims’ lawyers are being paid out of the awards; a one-third share is typical.)</p>

<p>Weiner said he would not discuss whether Indyke and Kahn, who were longtime advisers to Epstein, would ultimately receive any proceeds from the estate through the trust.</p>

<p>“The trust Mr. Epstein created before his death has not and will not be funded, if ever, until every single claim against the estate has been resolved,” Weiner said in a statement. “Public curiosity as to contingent beneficiaries who may never receive anything from that trust cannot justify violating their legitimate privacy interests.”</p>

<p>Although the estate’s legal expenses continue to grow, William LaPiana, a professor at New York Law School and a trust and estates expert, said the costs were, so far, fairly typical.</p>

<p>LaPiana said it is not unusual for legal fees in complex estates that involve extensive litigation to approach 5% of the estate’s initial value. The legal fees unrelated to the compensation fund currently represent about 3.5% percent of the estate’s beginning valuation.</p>

<p>“I don’t believe a court would yet decide that the admittedly large fees are excessive,” he said.</p>

<p>The fees are just one component of the long list of costs that have whittled away at the fortune that Epstein built primarily by providing financial and tax advice to a small group of wealthy men. Among them were two billionaires: Leon Black, a founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Capital, and Leslie Wexner, founder of a retail empire that once included Victoria’s Secret.</p>

<p>The estate’s tax bill alone was roughly $180 million. Upkeep of the properties — two tropical islands, the ranch and a Paris apartment are still unsold — has cost millions more. The estate is also paying about $15,000 a month to store Epstein’s art collection in a temperature-controlled warehouse in Long Island City, according to court filings. More routine expenses include roughly $390 a month to Verizon for phone services and about $154 a month to Dish for satellite TV services, the filings show.</p>

<p>Cash has come in as assets have been sold off: $66 million from the sale of Epstein’s former homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, although that was well below their asking prices. A Gulfstream jet, one of three planes Epstein owned, was sold in late 2020 for $10 million, some $7 million less than the estate had valued it.</p>

<p>In August, the estate sold its half interest in a yacht club on St. Thomas for $4.6 million. A few months earlier, it sold Epstein's Sikorsky helicopter, generating $1.5 million. Other asset sales have netted more modest sums: In September, the estate got $985 for an “Ikea green shag rug” and outdoor furniture from Epstein’s island home.</p>

<p>The value of the estate is now roughly $185 million, and the litigation with the Virgin Islands has the potential to wipe out much of that.</p>

<p>Denise George, the territory’s attorney general, filed a civil fraud complaint against the estate two years ago, contending that Epstein improperly received a tax benefit that allowed him to finance sex trafficking. That wrongly deprived the territory — where the poverty rate is roughly twice the national average — of badly needed revenue, George said. She is seeking to recoup tens of millions in lost revenue, plus punitive damages.</p>

<p>George’s office retained a law firm, Motley Rice, to handle much of its investigation. Motley Rice’s compensation will ultimately be based on any judgment or recovery in the case, the attorney general’s office said.</p>

<p>The two sides began settlement talks last year, although the parties are not close to a deal, said two people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are confidential.</p>

<p>Sandra Goomansingh, a spokesperson for George, declined to comment on whether the parties were engaged in settlement negotiations. Weiner also declined to comment on settlement talks.</p>

<p>The size of any settlement depends, in part, on how much money Epstein’s two islands off St. Thomas can fetch at sale. His estate valued the properties at about $20 million, according to the most recent quarterly report. But a local real estate agent said they could go for much more.</p>

<p>The agent, April Newland, who specializes in selling high-end properties, said she had shown the islands to a number of interested buyers, including several cryptocurrency investors. Newland said getting both for just $20 million would be a “steal.”</p>

<p>“There is a market for private islands,” she said. “And once they start marketing them, they will go.”</p>


When Jeffrey Epstein died, he left behind an estate with an estimated value of $600 million. There were vast financial holdings, a private jet and palatial properties including an island hideaway, a grand Manhattan mansion and a 7,600-acre New Mexico ranch.

When Jeffrey Epstein died, he left behind an estate with an estimated value of $600 million. There were vast financial holdings, a private jet and palatial properties including an island hideaway, a grand Manhattan mansion and a 7,600-acre New Mexico ranch. But taxes, property upkeep and temperature-controlled storage for his art collection — as well as $121 million in settlements to more than 135 women who accused him of sexually abusing them when they were young — have since cut into the size of Epstein’s estate. It is now worth about one-third of its value when the financier, 66, hanged himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges 2 1/2 years ago. The biggest continuing expense is legal costs: $30 million so far to law firms brought in to clean up Epstein’s affairs. Lawyers have helped hand out settlements, liquidate assets and sift through the complicated holdings of a man who once set up his own offshore bank. The work won’t be finished anytime soon. The estate must still resolve a civil fraud lawsuit, brought by the attorney general of the Virgin Islands, who claims Epstein used the territory to facilitate a criminal enterprise by bilking it out of more than $70 million in tax revenue. And Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Epstein who was convicted of sex-trafficking charges last month, has sued the estate to recoup her legal fees. Not until all that is over will the estate dispense whatever is left, according to the terms of a secret trust that Epstein set up and named in a will drawn just two days before he died. The details of the trust are not public. But Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and the last person he spoke to on the phone before killing himself, will be one of the main beneficiaries, The New York Times previously reported. Shuliak, a native of Belarus, is a dentist who shared an office on the island of St. Thomas with Epstein’s Southern Trust Co. A lawyer for Shuliak declined to comment. The estate has paid $9 million to the lawyers who established and oversaw the victims restitution fund, and $21 million to at least 16 law firms for services and expenses, according to a review of quarterly financial statements filed by the estate in Superior Court in the Virgin Islands. Five firms — Troutman Pepper, Hughes Hubbard & Reed, White & Case, McLaughlin & Stern and Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin — have each taken in fees that exceed the nearly $900,000 average award to victims from the compensation fund. A lawyer for nine accusers who submitted claims took issue with the size of those legal bills. “It is appalling that lawyers divvying up the estate of Jeffrey Epstein are profiting more than his victims,” said Florida lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who has been seeking compensation for some of Epstein’s accusers for more than a decade. Daniel Weiner, a lawyer with Hughes Hubbard, which has billed the estate more than $6 million, said it was wrong to compare the legal fees and the settlement amounts. He said the estate’s executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, had put no limitations on the amount of money handed out by the restitution fund, which an independent administrator oversaw. The victims who participated, he added, were able to avoid litigation costs that could have reduced the amount they received. (Victims’ lawyers are being paid out of the awards; a one-third share is typical.) Weiner said he would not discuss whether Indyke and Kahn, who were longtime advisers to Epstein, would ultimately receive any proceeds from the estate through the trust. “The trust Mr. Epstein created before his death has not and will not be funded, if ever, until every single claim against the estate has been resolved,” Weiner said in a statement. “Public curiosity as to contingent beneficiaries who may never receive anything from that trust cannot justify violating their legitimate privacy interests.” Although the estate’s legal expenses continue to grow, William LaPiana, a professor at New York Law School and a trust and estates expert, said the costs were, so far, fairly typical. LaPiana said it is not unusual for legal fees in complex estates that involve extensive litigation to approach 5% of the estate’s initial value. The legal fees unrelated to the compensation fund currently represent about 3.5% percent of the estate’s beginning valuation. “I don’t believe a court would yet decide that the admittedly large fees are excessive,” he said. The fees are just one component of the long list of costs that have whittled away at the fortune that Epstein built primarily by providing financial and tax advice to a small group of wealthy men. Among them were two billionaires: Leon Black, a founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Capital, and Leslie Wexner, founder of a retail empire that once included Victoria’s Secret. The estate’s tax bill alone was roughly $180 million. Upkeep of the properties — two tropical islands, the ranch and a Paris apartment are still unsold — has cost millions more. The estate is also paying about $15,000 a month to store Epstein’s art collection in a temperature-controlled warehouse in Long Island City, according to court filings. More routine expenses include roughly $390 a month to Verizon for phone services and about $154 a month to Dish for satellite TV services, the filings show. Cash has come in as assets have been sold off: $66 million from the sale of Epstein’s former homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, although that was well below their asking prices. A Gulfstream jet, one of three planes Epstein owned, was sold in late 2020 for $10 million, some $7 million less than the estate had valued it. In August, the estate sold its half interest in a yacht club on St. Thomas for $4.6 million. A few months earlier, it sold Epstein's Sikorsky helicopter, generating $1.5 million. Other asset sales have netted more modest sums: In September, the estate got $985 for an “Ikea green shag rug” and outdoor furniture from Epstein’s island home. The value of the estate is now roughly $185 million, and the litigation with the Virgin Islands has the potential to wipe out much of that. Denise George, the territory’s attorney general, filed a civil fraud complaint against the estate two years ago, contending that Epstein improperly received a tax benefit that allowed him to finance sex trafficking. That wrongly deprived the territory — where the poverty rate is roughly twice the national average — of badly needed revenue, George said. She is seeking to recoup tens of millions in lost revenue, plus punitive damages. George’s office retained a law firm, Motley Rice, to handle much of its investigation. Motley Rice’s compensation will ultimately be based on any judgment or recovery in the case, the attorney general’s office said. The two sides began settlement talks last year, although the parties are not close to a deal, said two people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are confidential. Sandra Goomansingh, a spokesperson for George, declined to comment on whether the parties were engaged in settlement negotiations. Weiner also declined to comment on settlement talks. The size of any settlement depends, in part, on how much money Epstein’s two islands off St. Thomas can fetch at sale. His estate valued the properties at about $20 million, according to the most recent quarterly report. But a local real estate agent said they could go for much more. The agent, April Newland, who specializes in selling high-end properties, said she had shown the islands to a number of interested buyers, including several cryptocurrency investors. Newland said getting both for just $20 million would be a “steal.” “There is a market for private islands,” she said. “And once they start marketing them, they will go.”

Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going?

Breathtaking scenes after rare snowfall in Israel, Jordan and other Mediterranean regions; misery for refugees

<p>Some Conservative members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom are set to send the letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the report probing lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street is published, The Guardian reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the UK, the leadership challenge can be triggered if 15 per cent of Conservative MPs write letters demanding a confidence vote to the chairman of the party's "1922 Committee", which represents lawmakers who have no government jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the report, after the civil servant Sue Gray releases probe findings, some senior Tories might force a no-confidence vote in Johnson.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/boris-johnsons-partygate-timeline-of-a-very-british-scandal-447816#may-15-2020-447804">Boris Johnson's 'partygate': Timeline of a very British scandal</a></strong></p>

<p>"It's the white, middle-aged backbencher he has to watch. People who feel strongly about their morals and to whom this prime minister can't offer anything personally," one MP said as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are more than two dozen former ministers who are ready to go against Johnson - more than 70 in that category in total.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gray's report may determine the prime minister's future, however, Boris has refused to resign despite the criticism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although, it is clear when the results of that investigation would be published, especially as police have opened their own investigation.</p>

<p>As per reports, if Gray’s report is published on Thursday or Friday, Johnson will go to the Commons with it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the case of Johnson's ouster, possible replacements are UK's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, who has had a high profile role in publicising the government's support for the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and foreign minister Liz Truss, who is popular among grassroots party members.&nbsp;</p>

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Some Conservative members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom are set to send the letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the report probing lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street is published, The Guardian reported.

Some Conservative members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom are set to send the letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the report probing lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street is published, The Guardian reported. In the UK, the leadership challenge can be triggered if 15 per cent of Conservative MPs write letters demanding a confidence vote to the chairman of the party's "1922 Committee", which represents lawmakers who have no government jobs. As per the report, after the civil servant Sue Gray releases probe findings, some senior Tories might force a no-confidence vote in Johnson. ALSO READ | Boris Johnson's 'partygate': Timeline of a very British scandal "It's the white, middle-aged backbencher he has to watch. People who feel strongly about their morals and to whom this prime minister can't offer anything personally," one MP said as quoted by The Guardian. There are more than two dozen former ministers who are ready to go against Johnson - more than 70 in that category in total. Gray's report may determine the prime minister's future, however, Boris has refused to resign despite the criticism. Although, it is clear when the results of that investigation would be published, especially as police have opened their own investigation. As per reports, if Gray’s report is published on Thursday or Friday, Johnson will go to the Commons with it. In the case of Johnson's ouster, possible replacements are UK's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, who has had a high profile role in publicising the government's support for the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and foreign minister Liz Truss, who is popular among grassroots party members. ×

UK PM Boris Johnson might face letters of no confidence by Tory MPs after 'partygate' probe report

<p>Britain's Prince&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;is seeking a jury trial to clear his name in the sexual assault civil complaint he is fighting in New York, and which has already left him in disgrace and forced him to withdraw from royal duties, his lawyers announced Wednesday.</p>

<p>"Prince&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint," his attorney wrote in a motion filed at a Manhattan federal court.</p>

<p>His accuser, Victoria Giuffre, has said she had sex with the prince when she was 17 and a minor under US law after meeting him through the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in prison two years ago while awaiting trial for sex crimes.</p>

<p>The prince has not been criminally charged and has denied the allegations.</p>

<p>Earlier this month&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;was stripped of his honorary military titles and charitable roles after Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss Giuffre's case, making a civil trial in New York more likely.</p>

<p>There is still the possibility that the two parties could reach a financial settlement outside of court -- though Giuffre's New York lawyer, David Bowies, told AFP Wednesday: "We look forward to confronting Prince&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;with his denials and attempts to blame Ms Giuffre for her own abuse at his deposition and trial."</p>

<p>Giuffre, who is now 38, alleges that&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;sexually assaulted her at the London home of socialite and Epstein friend Ghislaine Maxwell after a night out dancing in March 2001.</p>

<p>She sued the prince last year for unspecified damages, alleging that she was trafficked to him by Epstein and Maxwell.</p>

<p>Last month Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful.</p>

<p>The motion filed on Wednesday, which contested each point in Giuffre's complaint, reiterated that "Prince&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;denies that he was a co-conspirator of Epstein or that Epstein trafficked girls to him."</p>

<p><strong>Legal filings</strong></p>

<p>As well as the London allegations, Giuffre also says&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;assaulted her at Epstein's home in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands.</p>

<p>Lawyers for&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;and Giuffre named the first witnesses they hope to grill in the lawsuit in mid-January.</p>

<p>Andrew's attorneys said in a filing that they were seeking testimony from Judith Lightfoot, Giuffre's psychologist in her adopted home of Australia.</p>

<p>Lawyer Melissa Lerner said that the prince's legal team want to quiz Lightfoot about what was discussed during her counseling sessions with Giuffre.</p>

<p>The prince's lawyers argue that Giuffre "may suffer from false memories" and want to ask Lightfoot about the "theory of false memories," Lerner wrote in a formal "letter of request" submitted to Kaplan that would compel testimony in Australia.</p>

<p>In a separate filing, Giuffre's lawyers told judge Kaplan that they wanted to question two witnesses based in Britain, including Shukri Walker, who claims to have seen&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;at the nightclub in London with a young girl around the time of the alleged assault.</p>

<p>Kaplan said earlier this month that he expected a civil trial would come "between September and December" 2022.</p>

<p>According to lawyers in New York,&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;would first have to give a sworn statement to a lawyer, likely in Britain, and respond to questions from the plaintiff's American lawyers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The answers to those questions would be submitted as evidence to the jury, which would then decide on any financial compensation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Experts say the prince will likely have to appear in person at some point or risk being tried in absentia, which could look bad for him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Giuffre's civil complaint cannot automatically turn into a criminal proceedings, though nothing prevents US prosecutors from pursuing charges in the future if they believe&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;has committed a crime.</p>

<p>Andrew, the second son of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, withdrew from public life as a royal in 2019 after a widely ridiculed BBC interview where he sought to vindicate himself of the accusation.</p>

<p>In other signs of social ostracism since,&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;last week deactivated his social media accounts and the York Racecourse in northern England has announced it is renaming an event called The Duke of York Stakes -- even though this refers to an earlier bearer of the title.</p>


Britain's Prince Andrew is seeking a jury trial to clear his name in the sexual assault civil complaint he is fighting in New York, and which has already left him in disgrace and forced him to withdraw from royal duties, his lawyers announced Wednesday.

Britain's Prince Andrew is seeking a jury trial to clear his name in the sexual assault civil complaint he is fighting in New York, and which has already left him in disgrace and forced him to withdraw from royal duties, his lawyers announced Wednesday. "Prince Andrew hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint," his attorney wrote in a motion filed at a Manhattan federal court. His accuser, Victoria Giuffre, has said she had sex with the prince when she was 17 and a minor under US law after meeting him through the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in prison two years ago while awaiting trial for sex crimes. The prince has not been criminally charged and has denied the allegations. Earlier this month Andrew was stripped of his honorary military titles and charitable roles after Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss Giuffre's case, making a civil trial in New York more likely. There is still the possibility that the two parties could reach a financial settlement outside of court -- though Giuffre's New York lawyer, David Bowies, told AFP Wednesday: "We look forward to confronting Prince Andrew with his denials and attempts to blame Ms Giuffre for her own abuse at his deposition and trial." Giuffre, who is now 38, alleges that Andrew sexually assaulted her at the London home of socialite and Epstein friend Ghislaine Maxwell after a night out dancing in March 2001. She sued the prince last year for unspecified damages, alleging that she was trafficked to him by Epstein and Maxwell. Last month Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful. The motion filed on Wednesday, which contested each point in Giuffre's complaint, reiterated that "Prince Andrew denies that he was a co-conspirator of Epstein or that Epstein trafficked girls to him." Legal filings As well as the London allegations, Giuffre also says Andrew assaulted her at Epstein's home in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands. Lawyers for Andrew and Giuffre named the first witnesses they hope to grill in the lawsuit in mid-January. Andrew's attorneys said in a filing that they were seeking testimony from Judith Lightfoot, Giuffre's psychologist in her adopted home of Australia. Lawyer Melissa Lerner said that the prince's legal team want to quiz Lightfoot about what was discussed during her counseling sessions with Giuffre. The prince's lawyers argue that Giuffre "may suffer from false memories" and want to ask Lightfoot about the "theory of false memories," Lerner wrote in a formal "letter of request" submitted to Kaplan that would compel testimony in Australia. In a separate filing, Giuffre's lawyers told judge Kaplan that they wanted to question two witnesses based in Britain, including Shukri Walker, who claims to have seen Andrew at the nightclub in London with a young girl around the time of the alleged assault. Kaplan said earlier this month that he expected a civil trial would come "between September and December" 2022. According to lawyers in New York, Andrew would first have to give a sworn statement to a lawyer, likely in Britain, and respond to questions from the plaintiff's American lawyers. The answers to those questions would be submitted as evidence to the jury, which would then decide on any financial compensation. Experts say the prince will likely have to appear in person at some point or risk being tried in absentia, which could look bad for him. Giuffre's civil complaint cannot automatically turn into a criminal proceedings, though nothing prevents US prosecutors from pursuing charges in the future if they believe Andrew has committed a crime. Andrew, the second son of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, withdrew from public life as a royal in 2019 after a widely ridiculed BBC interview where he sought to vindicate himself of the accusation. In other signs of social ostracism since, Andrew last week deactivated his social media accounts and the York Racecourse in northern England has announced it is renaming an event called The Duke of York Stakes -- even though this refers to an earlier bearer of the title.

Prince Andrew seeks jury trial in sex assault case in New York

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<p><strong>Here are some of the top stories to start your day:&nbsp;</strong>The United States has sent a written response to Russia's demands in eastern Europe while it upheld NATO's 'open-door' policy. Also, read our explainer on the BA.2 variant of COVID-19 dubbed the "stealth Omicron".</p>

<p><strong>Click on headlines to read the full report:</strong></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-us-responds-to-russian-demands-upholds-natos-open-door-policy-447955">Ukraine crisis: US responds to Russian demands, upholds NATO's 'open-door' policy</a></strong><br />
The United States has sent a written response to Russia's demands in eastern Europe. While it offered a "principled and pragmatic evaluation" of the Kremlin's concerns, the US has upheld North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) 'open-door' policy. This policy refers to NATO's openness to new member countries. Ukraine is keen to be part of NATO, something Russia is fiercely against.</p>

<p><img alt="Russia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="731eba6c-a54f-4c08-a497-82d9161953e9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Russia-Ukraine_1.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-again-fires-unidentified-projectile-into-the-sea-447954">North Korea again fires 'unidentified projectile' into the sea</a></strong><br />
Kim Jong-Un's regime fired another "unidentified projectile" into the East Sea on Thursday. It was the sixth missile test undertaken by the country in January. The country had said it had fired two hypersonic missiles on January 5 and 11 and a suspected ballistic missile test on January 14 and 17.</p>

<p><img alt="North Korea" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4d49dd5-7eef-4111-9e5b-67257af0d02b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/North-Korea.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-might-face-letters-of-no-confidence-by-tory-mps-after-partygate-probe-report-447962">UK PM Boris Johnson might face letters of no confidence by Tory MPs after 'partygate' probe report</a></strong><br />
Some Conservative members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom are set to send the letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the report probing lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street is published, The Guardian reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Boris Johnson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5a25a540-2279-42e6-883f-e86a2a995468" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Boris%20Johnson%20%282%29.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-is-the-new-stealth-omicron-447976">Explainer: What is the new 'stealth Omicron'?</a></strong><br />
As the world continues to battle against the Omicron wave, the World Health Organisation(WHO) warned that sub-variants have been on the rise worldwide. Reports say the BA.2 variant dubbed the "stealth Omicron" has been on the rise in UK and Denmark.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Omicron" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6d13444c-9b7b-4664-bb27-e2209935a6fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Omicron_0.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Oil prices touch $90 a barrel for the first time in 7 years amid Russia-Ukraine conflict</strong></p>

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Here are some of the top stories to start your day: The United States has sent a written response to Russia's demands in eastern Europe while it upheld NATO's 'open-door' policy.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: The United States has sent a written response to Russia's demands in eastern Europe while it upheld NATO's 'open-door' policy. Also, read our explainer on the BA.2 variant of COVID-19 dubbed the "stealth Omicron". Click on headlines to read the full report: Ukraine crisis: US responds to Russian demands, upholds NATO's 'open-door' policy The United States has sent a written response to Russia's demands in eastern Europe. While it offered a "principled and pragmatic evaluation" of the Kremlin's concerns, the US has upheld North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) 'open-door' policy. This policy refers to NATO's openness to new member countries. Ukraine is keen to be part of NATO, something Russia is fiercely against. North Korea again fires 'unidentified projectile' into the sea Kim Jong-Un's regime fired another "unidentified projectile" into the East Sea on Thursday. It was the sixth missile test undertaken by the country in January. The country had said it had fired two hypersonic missiles on January 5 and 11 and a suspected ballistic missile test on January 14 and 17. UK PM Boris Johnson might face letters of no confidence by Tory MPs after 'partygate' probe report Some Conservative members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom are set to send the letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the report probing lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street is published, The Guardian reported. Explainer: What is the new 'stealth Omicron'? As the world continues to battle against the Omicron wave, the World Health Organisation(WHO) warned that sub-variants have been on the rise worldwide. Reports say the BA.2 variant dubbed the "stealth Omicron" has been on the rise in UK and Denmark. WATCH | Oil prices touch $90 a barrel for the first time in 7 years amid Russia-Ukraine conflict ×

Morning news brief: US responds to Russian demands, North Korea fires projectile, and more

<p>India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day to mark the date when the Constitution of India came into effect and the country became a republic.</p>

<p>On the occasion, the nation showcased its military might and displayed the rich cultural diversity of the states and union territories during the parade at Rajpath at the nation's capital, New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The parade had armoured personnel carriers, artillery guns and new-age battle tanks as India showed its prowess on the occasion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Beautiful dance performances left the Rajpath vibrant and mesmerising. The celebrations commenced after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the national war memorial.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-republic-day-parade-pride-and-honour-as-lt-manisha-bohra-leads-all-male-aoc-contingent-watch-447670">India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch</a></strong></p>

<p>After that, President Ram Nath Kovind arrived, escorted by his bodyguards on their magnificent bay and dark bay coloured mounts.</p>

<p>There were tableaux of 12 States and Union Territories and nine Ministries and Departments, which were prepared on various themes under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.</p>

<p>The view at Rajpath was just majestic, but celebrations took place across the country. Here's a look at how states and union territories celebrated Republic Day:</p>

<p><strong>Delhi</strong> CM Arvind Kejriwal unfurled&nbsp;the national flag at his residence.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal unfurls the national flag at his residence, on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/bzfJZBOA2O">pic.twitter.com/bzfJZBOA2O</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486266812111421442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Maharashtra</strong> Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari unfurled&nbsp;the national flag at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The Chief Minister of the state&nbsp;Uddhav Thackeray was also present.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari unfurls the national flag at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. CM Uddhav Thackeray also present.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/PcjbeOg2Ky">pic.twitter.com/PcjbeOg2Ky</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486187690127425538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> CM Yogi Adityanath unfurled the national flag. Watch:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">73वें गणतंत्र दिवस के अवसर पर... <a href="https://t.co/ChnLD6HdMn">https://t.co/ChnLD6HdMn</a></p>
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1486191911308521475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>For the first time in history, India's flag - the tricolour - was unfurled on the clock tower in the famous Lal Chowk area in Srinagar - a city in <strong>Jammu and Kashmir</strong>. This is for the first time after India's independence that the national flag has been unfurled on top of Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower).&nbsp; See exclusive images by WION:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Republic2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Republic2022</a> | For the first time in history, India's flag - the tricolour - was unfurled on the clock tower in the famous Lal Chowk area in Srinagar - a city in Jammu and Kashmir<br />
<br />
Report by: <a href="https://twitter.com/idrees_lone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@idrees_lone</a><a href="https://t.co/xtTibzMnat">https://t.co/xtTibzMnat</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1486275246324084737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Bihar</strong> CM Nitish Kumar unfurled&nbsp;the tri-colour at his residence in the capital city of the state, Patna.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unfurls the national flag at his residence in Patna <a href="https://t.co/Nl5zwKl0h5">pic.twitter.com/Nl5zwKl0h5</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486181751508856835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Republic Day was celebrated in <strong>Odisha</strong> as&nbsp;Governor Ganeshi Lal and CM Naveen Patnaik unfurled the national flag in Bhubaneswar.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and CM Naveen Patnaik unfurl the national flag in Bhubaneswar on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/1IK6pwFHa6">pic.twitter.com/1IK6pwFHa6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486173091021877250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Tamil Nadu</strong> Governor RN Ravi and CM MK Stalin took part in the Republic Day celebrations&nbsp;as they unfurled the flag.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai | Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and CM MK Stalin take part in 73rd <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> celebrations <a href="https://t.co/P8R9z1x1u8">pic.twitter.com/P8R9z1x1u8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486168208994607107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ashok Gehlot, who is the CM of <strong>Rajasthan</strong> unfurled&nbsp;the national flag in Jaipur.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jaipur | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot unfurls the national flag on the 73rd <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/fCHbj5fEVP">pic.twitter.com/fCHbj5fEVP</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486164103970553857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>West Bengal </strong>Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurled&nbsp;the national flag. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present at the parade at Red Road, Kolkata.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurls the national flag on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others also present at the parade at Red Road, Kolkata <a href="https://t.co/WPpcob1URw">pic.twitter.com/WPpcob1URw</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486205167028834304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Assam&nbsp;</strong>CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he is happy to watch the national flag being unfurled by&nbsp;his cabinet colleague UG Brahma at Tamulpur, which&nbsp;officially became&nbsp;a new district today.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy to watch the national flag being unfurled by my cabinet colleague UG Brahma at Tamulpur, that officially becomes a new district today: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/JrCgb9Mi18">pic.twitter.com/JrCgb9Mi18</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486224268098945024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unfurled the national flag in Indore.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unfurled the national flag at Republic day celebrations, in Indore. <a href="https://t.co/eI72b3g2Q6">pic.twitter.com/eI72b3g2Q6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486234262911459331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Chhattisgarh</strong> CM Bhupesh Baghel unfurled the national flag in Bastar.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel unfurled the national flag in Bastar on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/qY3ktgW4Q8">pic.twitter.com/qY3ktgW4Q8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486258230347300864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Governor of <strong>Telangana</strong>, Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled the national flag in Hyderabad.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel unfurled the national flag in Bastar on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/qY3ktgW4Q8">pic.twitter.com/qY3ktgW4Q8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486258230347300864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Puducherry</strong> LG Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled Tricolour on the occasion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Puducherry LG Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled Tricolour on the occasion of Republic Day today <a href="https://t.co/5mF4jIGwuJ">pic.twitter.com/5mF4jIGwuJ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486306177600618496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>This year's parade was special as the swachhagrah, frontline workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers and labourers who prepared the majestic tableaus were among the special guests invited this year to the Republic Day parade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The number of people allowed to attend the parade was curtailed to approximately 5,000-8,000 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, with seats reserved for construction workers, frontline health workers and others.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day to mark the date when the Constitution of India came into effect and the country became a republic. On the occasion, the nation showcased its military might and displayed the rich cultural diversity of the states and union territories during the parade at Rajpath at the nation's capital, New Delhi.

India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day to mark the date when the Constitution of India came into effect and the country became a republic. On the occasion, the nation showcased its military might and displayed the rich cultural diversity of the states and union territories during the parade at Rajpath at the nation's capital, New Delhi. The parade had armoured personnel carriers, artillery guns and new-age battle tanks as India showed its prowess on the occasion. Beautiful dance performances left the Rajpath vibrant and mesmerising. The celebrations commenced after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the national war memorial. ALSO READ | India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch After that, President Ram Nath Kovind arrived, escorted by his bodyguards on their magnificent bay and dark bay coloured mounts. There were tableaux of 12 States and Union Territories and nine Ministries and Departments, which were prepared on various themes under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The view at Rajpath was just majestic, but celebrations took place across the country. Here's a look at how states and union territories celebrated Republic Day: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal unfurled the national flag at his residence. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal unfurls the national flag at his residence, on #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/bzfJZBOA2O — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari unfurled the national flag at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The Chief Minister of the state Uddhav Thackeray was also present. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari unfurls the national flag at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. CM Uddhav Thackeray also present.#RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/PcjbeOg2Ky — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath unfurled the national flag. Watch: 73वें गणतंत्र दिवस के अवसर पर... https://t.co/ChnLD6HdMn — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 26, 2022 × For the first time in history, India's flag - the tricolour - was unfurled on the clock tower in the famous Lal Chowk area in Srinagar - a city in Jammu and Kashmir. This is for the first time after India's independence that the national flag has been unfurled on top of Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower). See exclusive images by WION: #Republic2022 | For the first time in history, India's flag - the tricolour - was unfurled on the clock tower in the famous Lal Chowk area in Srinagar - a city in Jammu and Kashmir Report by: @idrees_lonehttps://t.co/xtTibzMnat — WION (@WIONews) January 26, 2022 × Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unfurled the tri-colour at his residence in the capital city of the state, Patna. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unfurls the national flag at his residence in Patna pic.twitter.com/Nl5zwKl0h5 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Republic Day was celebrated in Odisha as Governor Ganeshi Lal and CM Naveen Patnaik unfurled the national flag in Bhubaneswar. Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and CM Naveen Patnaik unfurl the national flag in Bhubaneswar on #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/1IK6pwFHa6 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and CM MK Stalin took part in the Republic Day celebrations as they unfurled the flag. Chennai | Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and CM MK Stalin take part in 73rd #RepublicDay celebrations pic.twitter.com/P8R9z1x1u8 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Ashok Gehlot, who is the CM of Rajasthan unfurled the national flag in Jaipur. Jaipur | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot unfurls the national flag on the 73rd #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/fCHbj5fEVP — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurled the national flag. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present at the parade at Red Road, Kolkata. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurls the national flag on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others also present at the parade at Red Road, Kolkata pic.twitter.com/WPpcob1URw — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he is happy to watch the national flag being unfurled by his cabinet colleague UG Brahma at Tamulpur, which officially became a new district today. Happy to watch the national flag being unfurled by my cabinet colleague UG Brahma at Tamulpur, that officially becomes a new district today: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma#RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/JrCgb9Mi18 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unfurled the national flag in Indore. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unfurled the national flag at Republic day celebrations, in Indore. pic.twitter.com/eI72b3g2Q6 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel unfurled the national flag in Bastar. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel unfurled the national flag in Bastar on #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/qY3ktgW4Q8 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Governor of Telangana, Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled the national flag in Hyderabad. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel unfurled the national flag in Bastar on #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/qY3ktgW4Q8 — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × Puducherry LG Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled Tricolour on the occasion. Puducherry LG Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled Tricolour on the occasion of Republic Day today pic.twitter.com/5mF4jIGwuJ — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022 × This year's parade was special as the swachhagrah, frontline workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers and labourers who prepared the majestic tableaus were among the special guests invited this year to the Republic Day parade. The number of people allowed to attend the parade was curtailed to approximately 5,000-8,000 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, with seats reserved for construction workers, frontline health workers and others.

From Assam to Tamil Nadu: Here's how the states celebrated Republic Day 2022

<p>While team mapping radio waves in the universe, astronomers have come across a mysterious object that is releasing giant bursts of energy three times an hour, as per a study published on Wednesday (January 26) in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04272-x.epdf?sharing_token=g0qDpzHgeaSaA6mUmwx649RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Of-uh9vqemKMq6w79pifdqdaY5xxIT2ZG7_2UyUWitYHtn2nWAH0KN9KVH1ZPtBPDePVfuAa1sz-qkpQHRO8lx4QaBnNSzyWapSmBR_chuTr1cSMqeS7wZGcpJ86k4qrPi673QqygyKuCUQdEXkI5ouo3YZQhKAoAFYVlm3I-I4ac24yAbE3svoj_w8xA8-_5zWSQOVishTx_VUR2a3fp-8dQY3APRD7IW2SmarKahJk-fpdNXg_aMYoCtzMP2RoiUhT6-w-n_GGFP57eM0LKh&amp;tracking_referrer=edition.cnn.com">Nature</a>.</p>

<p>It is being termed as unlike anything astronomers have seen before but the team that discovered the celestial object believe it could be a neutron star or a white dwarf with an ultra-powerful magnetic field.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the astronomers, the strange object, which appeared to be spinning around in space, sends out a beam of radiation that crosses our line of sight, and for a minute in every twenty. The published study claimed it to be one of the brightest radio sources in the sky.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/out-of-control-rocket-by-elon-musks-spacex-puts-indias-chandrayaan-in-danger-447837">Out-of-control rocket by Elon Musk's SpaceX puts India's Chandrayaan in danger</a></strong></p>

<p>Astrophysicist Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker, who is from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, led the team.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This object was appearing and disappearing over a few hours during our observations. That was completely unexpected. It was kind of spooky for an astronomer because there's nothing known in the sky that does that. And it's really quite close to us -- about 4000 lightyears away. It's in our galactic backyard," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-ice-moon-which-resembles-the-death-star-from-star-wars-could-be-hospitable-to-life-447567">This ice moon, which resembles the Death Star from Star Wars, could be hospitable to life</a></strong></p>

<p>A student named&nbsp;Tyrone O'Doherty from Curtin University discovered the object by using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope in outback Western Australia. He also used a new technique developed by him.</p>

<p>O'Doherty, who is now studying for a PhD at Curtin, said, "It's exciting that the source I identified last year has turned out to be such a peculiar object."</p>

<p>"The MWA's wide field of view and extreme sensitivity are perfect for surveying the entire sky and detecting the unexpected," he added.&nbsp;</p>


While team mapping radio waves in the universe, astronomers have come across a mysterious object that is releasing giant bursts of energy three times an hour, as per a study published on Wednesday (January 26) in the journal Nature.

While team mapping radio waves in the universe, astronomers have come across a mysterious object that is releasing giant bursts of energy three times an hour, as per a study published on Wednesday (January 26) in the journal Nature. It is being termed as unlike anything astronomers have seen before but the team that discovered the celestial object believe it could be a neutron star or a white dwarf with an ultra-powerful magnetic field. As per the astronomers, the strange object, which appeared to be spinning around in space, sends out a beam of radiation that crosses our line of sight, and for a minute in every twenty. The published study claimed it to be one of the brightest radio sources in the sky. ALSO READ | Out-of-control rocket by Elon Musk's SpaceX puts India's Chandrayaan in danger Astrophysicist Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker, who is from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, led the team. "This object was appearing and disappearing over a few hours during our observations. That was completely unexpected. It was kind of spooky for an astronomer because there's nothing known in the sky that does that. And it's really quite close to us -- about 4000 lightyears away. It's in our galactic backyard," she said. ALSO READ | This ice moon, which resembles the Death Star from Star Wars, could be hospitable to life A student named Tyrone O'Doherty from Curtin University discovered the object by using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope in outback Western Australia. He also used a new technique developed by him. O'Doherty, who is now studying for a PhD at Curtin, said, "It's exciting that the source I identified last year has turned out to be such a peculiar object." "The MWA's wide field of view and extreme sensitivity are perfect for surveying the entire sky and detecting the unexpected," he added.

Astronomers discover mysterious object in space that releases giant bursts of energy three times an hour

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